Britain’s economic recovery is being lead by a boom in exports, but many are finding EU sales weak as the powerhouses are rocked by their own financial issues.
Shipping companies are likely to see the effects of problems in Spain and Portugal as British companies call on them to take their products further afield in order to sustain growth.
Exports of goods to non-European Union countries jumped 7.6% to £12.6bn in February but sales to the EU dropped 4.4%, according to the Office for National Statistics.
Total sales of goods overseas rose by 1.3% to £25.1billion in February – the most since records began in 1980 – bolstering hopes of an export-led recovery.